Price For Suggested New Water Scheme Shocks Councillors: £40,000 Or More Involved

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 6, 12 December 1947, Page 5

Price For Suggested New Water Scheme Shocks Councillors: £40,000 Or More Involved

Can this Borough stand the cost of a £40,000 water scheme with a-rate increase of 5d to 5-|-d in the £ ? The Council thinks not, according to opinions expressed in a lengthy discussion on the subject at Monday night’s meeting, but there does appear to be general agreement that the present system is inadequate now and will be hopelessly so as future development emphasises its drawbacks. Right now, the draw-off is almost equal to the pumping capacity, and there is practically no reserve. The Council’s works committee is to investigate fully with a view to finding the least costly way to tackle what is one of Whakatane’s biggest problems.

At Monday night’s meeting, the matter was introduced by a lengthy letter from Mr R. T. Worley, engineer, of Auckland, who had been asked to figure out a scheme. He offered two propositions, one to cost £30,000 , and the other £35,000, without allowing for probable additional expenses which Councillors agreed could hardly be less than £5,000. He claimed to be able to increase the reservoir capacity by 500,000 gallons, with increased pumping capacity and provision for a filter bed. No Holding Capacity The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, said the present reservoir was very small, with inadequate holding capacity for summer needs. There was also a fair bit of undesirable “body” in the water, though analytical reports were satisfactory from the health point of view. The Council had at -one time been keen on a gravitation but that seemed to be impracticable. However, it appeared to him that the plan before the Council was an impossibly costly one. It .seemed that it would cost at least £40,000 to get it in operation. Local Body Loans Board approval would be necessary before the matter could Le placed before a poll' of ratepayers and, even if the scheme were turned down, he felt the Health Department might insist upon some action. He added that, were the new .scheme adopted, practically the whole of the water mains would meed to be re-lined. Rate Up To s£d In reply to Cr A. D. O’Rourke, Mr Barry said the adoption of such a scheme might mean an additional rate of anything up to 5d or sid in the £l. “Far Too Expensive” Cr W. Sullivan said he considered the scheme far too expensive. He agreed that something should be done, but he doubted if a £40,000 scheme would pass the ratepayers. However it was necessary to build up a reserve supply, because now, in the summer hot weather, water was being drawn from the reservoir as fast as it was pumped in. Gave Him A Shock , Cr H. G. Warren said the figures had given him a shock, and he also doubted if the ratepayers would look •at the proposition. Cr J. Creeke expressed doubt as to the efficiency of re-lining the mains. He considered that matter would need to he investigated carefully. Moreover, he could forsee heavy running costs. Gravitation Supported

Cr Creeke maintained that a gravitation scheme could be worked in the Maraetotara district. The proposition now under discussion stood to involve the Council in a heavy initial expenditure and the possibilities- of .recurring, expenditure were appalling. His idea was that the gravitation scheme would carry

the town through the greater part of the year and the present pumping plant could be used in emergencies. Cr A. D. O’Rourke said he shared Cr Creeke’s apprehension as regards the maintenance cost of Mr Worley’s scheme. Maraetotara Difficulties Mr Barry explained that the difficulties in the Maraetotara scheme were that it would require a very high dam and the land in that area was not good for holding water. Cr E. R. Dillicar wanted to know how Mr Worley’s scheme would face up to increased population and consequent increased demand. Could Serve 10,000 Mr Barry replied that it was estimated to be capable of catering for 10,000 and to be capable of addition. The Mayor suggested that the Council should invite Mr Worley to meet the Council and the engineer and foreman engineer before any decision could be made as to whether cr not to seek Local Body Loans Board sanction to put the matter to the electors.

Further Consideration Finally, on Cr C. S. Armstrong’s motion it was agreed to refer the matter to the Works Committee which would discuss the whole situation as a prelude to asking Mr Worley to meet the full Council and explain his scheme in further detail if necessary. Engineer’s Report

The electrical engineer, Mr F. W. Lysaght, reported that the pumping plants had been in service every day during the month. The demand on the water supply had increased very considerably during the month' and it had been necessary to ask all consumers to take notice that all garden hoses must be held in the hand during the period of use. It had been necessary completely to overhaul No. 3 pumping plant owing to the excessive wear due to the very bad state of the water being pumped. This pump had been in service three years and this was the first overhaul.